FARGO, N.D. - Head coach Ryun Godfrey today announced the addition of six student-athletes to the North Dakota State women's track and field program. Paige Stratioti, a sprinter out of Duluth, Minn.; Brecca Wahlund, a distance runner from Minot, N.D.; Melissa Kitching, a sprinter and hurdler from Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ashley Heinze, a sprinter and hurdler from Moorhead, Minn.; Abigail Aspengren, a distance runner from Elk River, Minn.; and Kayla Simpson, a thrower from Grand Forks, N.D. will all continue their education and compete in track and field at NDSU.

"We are thrilled to announce our 2011 recruiting class," said Godfrey. "As we look to continue the tradition of Bison track and field and cross country, we believe this class will complement our program very well. They are excellent student-athletes with the drive to excel at the next level and are motivated by both individual and team success."

Stratioti is a sprinter from Duluth Denfeld High School (Minn.). She claimed the 2011 Minnesota state title in the 400 meters in a time of 54.77 seconds. She also finished eighth in both the 100 meters in 12.77 seconds and 200 meters in 25.89 seconds. In 2010, she finished fifth in the 400 meters at the state meet. Stratioti is currently undecided on a major.

Wahlund is a distance runner out of Minot High School (N.D.). She has won three straight North Dakota state titles in the 3,200 meters, including the 2011 crown. Her personal best time in the 3,200 meters is 10:41.76. Wahlund also won the state title in the 1,600 meters in 2010. Her best time in the event is 4:58.94. An honor student, she plans to major in education.

Kitching comes to NDSU from Springfield Collegiate Institute (MB). She won the 2011 provincial titles in the 400 meters in a meet record 55.73 seconds and the 200 meters in 25.38 seconds. She also won conference titles in the 400 meters and 200 meters, setting meet records in both. A Canadian national medalist in the 4x400 relay, Kitching is also the provincial record holder in the 400 meter hurdles. She plans on majoring in exercise science.

Heinze is a sprinter and hurdler out of Moorhead High School (Minn.). She finished sixth at the 2011 Minnesota state championships in the 400 meters in a time of 57.43. A team captain, she has qualified for the state meet in the 200 meters, 400 meters and 100 meter hurdles three years in a row. Heinze intends to major in exercise science.

Aspengren is a distance runner from Elk River High School (Minn.). She finished seventh at the 2010 Minnesota state cross country championships. She was fifth at the 2009 state cross country meet to help Elk River claim the team title. Aspengren plans to major in nursing.

Simpson is a thrower from Grand Forks Central High School (N.D.). She was the 2011 North Dakota state champion in the shot put with a throw of 42 feet 10 inches. In 2010, she finished fifth in the shot put and seventh in the discus at the state meet. Simpson plans to major in criminal justice.